Pandemic Center

Pandemic Game Changers Courses

Pandemic Game Changers Courses

The Game Changers initiative offers two courses which aim to tackle risks that shape policy solutions that drive action against emerging threats. One is designed for early- and mid-career professionals - Biological Threat Reduction on the African Continent - and one for Brown students - PHP 1580 Pandemic Game Changers.

Biological Threat Reduction on the African Continent

Biological Threat Reduction on the African Continent: Strategies and Policies in an Evolving World

Biological risks are rapidly rising, including increased potential for deliberate misuse, accidental release, and naturally occurring disease threats. Reducing these risks alongside emerging and AI-enabled technologies requires a sustainable, locally led approach biosecurity and biosafety across Africa, enhances equitable access, and reduces reliance on foreign assistance. We aim to catalyze a sustainable biological threat reduction policy program for rising African decision-makers, building a pipeline of local leaders and networked institutions to safeguard regional peace and long-term security.

Zoom session with course participants and Pandemic Center affilaites
Zoom session with course students and guest speakers.

Course Professors

  • Senior Adviser Beth Cameron smiles at camera, while posing in front of an office building.

    Elizabeth (Beth) Cameron, Ph.D.

    Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center, Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health
  • Senior Adviser Wilmot James smiles at camera, while posing inside a campus building.

    Wilmot James, Ph.D.

    Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center, Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health; Director of the Africa Initiative

Pandemic Game Changers Course

PHP 1580 Pandemic Game Changers Course Description:

Pandemic Game Changers will examine the public health and public policy issues vital to mitigating pandemic risks. It will afford students opportunities to analyze scenarios, identify and hone policy solutions, and learn how to convince decision-makers to take the steps needed to address the public health crises that pandemics cause. Students will be required to participate in interactive Q&A with field experts, perform a group analysis of an outbreak scenario, make a written and oral analysis of policy solutions for a biosecurity or biosafety risk, and provide a policy memo and persuasive oral briefing outlining views and potential next steps on one specific pandemic-related public policy issue.

“ This interactive and energizing course sits at the critical intersection of national security, health, and democratic resilience and provides opportunities for students to examine the public health and public policy issues vital to mitigating pandemic risks.

It will afford students opportunities to analyze scenarios, identify and hone policy solutions, and learn how to convince decision-makers to take the steps needed to address the public health crises caused by emerging biological threats. ”

Beth Cameron, Ph.D. Senior Adviser and Professor to the Pandemic Center

Brown In Washington

Brown in Washington 

Brown in Washington has established a partnership with Brown’s Pandemic Center in Washington DC. Students may enroll in in PHP 1580: “Pandemic Game Changers, Preparing the Next Generation of Decision-Makers for Emerging Biological Threats.” The course, co-taught by Dr. Beth Cameron and Dr. Wilmot James, will have sections in both Providence and Washington, DC and is open to students who hope to complete an internship in science and/or health policy when the internship runs.

Students who are admitted to this program remain fully-enrolled students at Brown, live in apartment style housing, and complete part time internships between 20 and 25 hours per week.

All concentrations are eligible for the program! Students who have participated in the Brown in Washington Summer SPRINT program are also eligible.
 

Learn more about the internship here